Project LOKI ③

Chapter 44: Dead Man's Switch (Prologue)

A/N: New chapter, new problem to solve! Before we proceed, let's hear from the late editor-in-chief of Clark Clarion.

AUGUSTUS

If you are watching this video, that means I'm already dead.

Hahaha! You might think na nagbibiro ako, but I am not joking. Hours after my death, this video would be sent to you via email. I found this site where once I didn't log in for a specific period of time, it will automatically send a message to my intended recipients. I hope this message doesn't end up in your spam folder, because you might not hear what I have to say. If that happens, I'm gonna haunt you. Hahaha!

Funny, isn't it? That I expect myself to die? Well, none of us can say when our time would come. It can be today. Tomorrow. Next week. Next month. Next year. Who knows? But if I were to die early, I don't wanna go without a bang.

You see, I've been involved with dangerous people since two years ago. Don't feel bad kung wala akong naikukwento sa 'yo. The less you know, the better. In this way, you can be protected. No one would know that you and I are quite close. No one would know that you are involved in my last act. Anonymity protects you.

I know a lot of secrets about our school. Most of which were whispers that reached my ears. Some were personally investigated by me. Others were acquired through money or favors. Think of them as my collection. I worked so hard to fill in my gallery with these secrets. Sometimes, I use them to my personal advantage. Sometimes, I use them to have some fun.

But you already know that, don't you? You know about the existence of my so-called collection. Should something happen to me, I don't want those secrets to be buried with me. Do you get what I mean? Sayang naman kung hindi mapapakinabangan. All of my efforts would be in vain.

You might be thinking, "Baka napa-paranoid ka lang!" No, this isn't paranoia. Some people do not like me. We can't really please anyone, can we? I fear that their dislike of me might nudge them to try and silence me. What secrets can I still tell if my mouth can no longer move, right?

Given everything that I know, an attempt on my life is expected. Hah. I found it silly. The pieces of information that are in my possession put a target on my back. But they also give me some level of protection. I warned some people that should something untoward happen to me, their secrets will be revealed.

I'm untouchable. They can't easily silence me. Killing me is like opening a can of worms— Wait, that's gross. Maybe it's more appropriate to say that killing me is like opening the Pandora's Box. And it's an option that they cannot afford.

For now, I'm safe. But I don't want to get too comfortable. For that reason, this final video of mine exists.

Listen. I'm going to entrust you with my collection if and when I'm gone from this world. You are going to be its caretaker. Teka, may nabasa akong ganito noon, eh? What do they call that thing again?

Ah, a dead man's switch! It's going to be activated once I die. I want you to have the honor of pressing that switch and unleash hell in Clark High.

Naikwento ko na sa 'yo noon ang ilan sa mga laman ng collection ko. But once you have full access, you will be definitely surprised by its contents! Ang estudyante na sa tingin mo'y malilinis? Meron palang mantsa na pinagtatakpan. Ang mga teacher na dapat ay role model ng mga estudante? Meron palang baho na itinatago. From the school administration down to the housekeeping personnel, they have skeletons in their closets. I want you to take out those skeletons and show them to the public.

I know that what I might be asking you is too much, but think of it this way. The subjects of my collection pretend to live a life that's perfect and spotless. They live in their own illusion that they have done nothing wrong... or controversial.

Now it's time to slap them with the truth and reality. No one is really clean. No one is totally sinless. Everyone has secrets and sins that they try to hide or forget. Unfortunately for them, I know.

This is my legacy. And my legacy is now yours.

You will find my instructions and the location of my storage device in this email. As for the collection, the password is 5121436132.

Consider this as my final request. I hope you won't fail me, my friend.

Respectfully yours,

Augustus.

q.e.d.

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